Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 68 / Thursday, April 8, 2004 / Notices 18565

Issued in Washington, DC April 2, 2004. potential construction and operation of of spent nuclear fuel and high-level Margaret S. Y. Chu, a rail-to-truck intermodal transfer radioactive waste to the repository. Director, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste facility, proposed to be located at the Under the mostly rail scenario, the Management. confluence of an existing mainline Department would rely on a [FR Doc. 04–7949 Filed 4–7–04; 8:45 am] railroad and a highway, to support legal- combination of rail, truck and possibly BILLING CODE 6450–01–P weight truck transportation until the rail barge to transport to the repository site system is fully operational. at Yucca Mountain up to 70,000 metric DATES: The Department invites and tons of heavy metal (MTHM) of spent DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY encourages comments on the scope of nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive the EIS (hereafter referred to as the Rail waste. Most of the spent nuclear fuel Notice of Intent to Prepare an Alignment EIS) to ensure that all and high-level radioactive waste, Environmental Impact Statement for relevant environmental issues and however, would be transported by rail. the Alignment, Construction, and reasonable alternatives are addressed. The Department’s decision to select Operation of a Rail Line to a Geologic Public scoping meetings are discussed the mostly rail scenario in will Repository at Yucca Mountain, Nye below in the SUPPLEMENTARY ultimately require the construction of a County, NV INFORMATION section. DOE will consider rail line to connect the repository site at Yucca Mountain to an existing rail line AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy. all comments received during the 45- in the State of Nevada for the shipment ACTION: Notice of intent. day public scoping period, which starts with the publication of this Notice of of spent nuclear fuel and high-level SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Intent and ends May 24, 2004. radioactive waste in the event that the Energy (DOE or the Department) Comments received after the close of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission announces its intent to prepare an public scoping period will be authorizes construction of the repository environmental impact statement (EIS) considered to the extent practicable. and receipt and possession of these materials at Yucca Mountain. To that under the National Environmental ADDRESSES: Written comments on the end, in the same Record of Decision, the Policy Act (NEPA) for the alignment, scope of this Rail Alignment EIS, Department also decided to select the construction, and operation of a rail line questions concerning the proposed Caliente rail corridor to study possible for shipments of spent nuclear fuel, action and alternatives, requests for high-level radioactive waste, and other alignments for this rail line. maps that illustrate the Caliente corridor In the Repository Final EIS, DOE materials from a site near Caliente, and alternatives, or requests for defined a rail corridor as a 0.25 miles Lincoln County, Nevada, to a geologic additional information on the Rail (400-meter) wide strip of land that repository at Yucca Mountain, Nye Alignment EIS or transportation encompasses one of several possible County, Nevada. On April 2, 2004, the planning in general should be directed alignments or specific locations within Department signed a Record of Decision to: Ms. Robin Sweeney, EIS Document which DOE could build a rail line. The announcing its selection, both Manager, Office of National Caliente rail corridor was described as nationally and in the State of Nevada, of Transportation, Office of Civilian originating at an existing siding to the the mostly rail scenario analyzed in the Radioactive Waste Management, U.S. mainline railroad near Caliente, Nevada, ‘‘ Final Environmental Impact Statement Department of Energy, 1551 Hillshire and extending in a westerly direction to for a Geologic Repository for the Drive, M/S 011, Las Vegas, NV 89134, the northwest corner of the Nevada Test Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and Telephone 1–800–967–3477, or via the and Training Range, before turning High-Level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Internet at http://www.ocrwm.doe.gov south-southeast to the repository at Mountain, Nye County, Nevada’’ (DOE/ under ‘‘What’s New.’’ Yucca Mountain. EIS–0250F, February 2002) (Repository FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For In the Repository Final EIS, DOE also Final EIS). This decision will ultimately general information regarding the DOE identified eight variations along the require the construction of a rail line to NEPA process contact: Ms. Carol M. Caliente corridor that may minimize or connect the repository site at Yucca Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA avoid environmental impacts and/or Mountain to an existing rail line in the Policy and Compliance (EH–42), U.S. mitigate construction complexities. State of Nevada for the shipment of Department of Energy, 1000 Variations were defined as a strip of spent nuclear fuel and high-level Independence Ave., SW., Washington, land 0.25 miles (400-meters) wide that radioactive waste, in the event that the DC 20585, Telephone 202–586–4600, or describes a different route, from one Nuclear Regulatory Commission leave a message at 1–800–472–2756. point along the corridor to another point authorizes construction of the repository SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: on the corridor. Thus, the Caliente and receipt and possession of these corridor ranges between 318 miles (512 materials at Yucca Mountain. To that Background kilometers) and 344 miles (553 end, the Department also decided to On July 23, 2002, the President signed kilometers) in length, depending on the select the Caliente rail corridor 1 in into law (Pub. L. 107–200) a joint variations considered. In the Repository which to examine possible alignments resolution of the U.S. House of Final EIS, DOE did not identify for construction of a rail line that would Representatives and the U.S. Senate variations for about 55 percent of the connect the repository at Yucca designating the Yucca Mountain site in length of the corridor (hereafter these Mountain to an existing main rail line Nye County, Nevada, for development areas are referred to as ‘‘common in Nevada. DOE is now announcing its as a geologic repository for the disposal segments’’). intent to prepare this Rail Alignment of spent nuclear fuel and high-level DOE proposes to consider the EIS to assist in selecting this alignment. radioactive waste. Subsequently, the common segments and the eight The EIS also would consider the Department issued a Record of Decision variations as preliminary alternatives to (April 2, 2004) to announce its be evaluated in the Rail Alignment EIS. 1 A corridor is a strip of land 0.25 miles (400 selection, both nationally and in the These alternatives are described in the meters) wide that encompasses one of several possible routes through which DOE could build a State of Nevada, of the mostly rail Preliminary Alternatives section. In rail line. An alignment is the specific location of a scenario analyzed in the Repository addition, DOE will consider other rail line in a corridor. Final EIS as the mode of transportation potential variations outside of the 0.25

VerDate mar<24>2004 16:47 Apr 07, 2004 Jkt 203001 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\08APN1.SGM 08APN1 18566 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 68 / Thursday, April 8, 2004 / Notices

mile wide corridor that might minimize, The construction of the rail line grading of slopes, rock-fall protection avoid or mitigate adverse environmental would require the clearing and devices, and restoration of disturbed impacts. excavation of previously undisturbed areas. For purposes of analysis in the Rail lands, and the establishment of borrow Operation of the Caliente rail line Alignment EIS, a rail line alignment is and spoils 4 areas. To establish a stable would be consistent with Federal defined as a strip of land 100 feet (30 base for the rail track, construction Railroad Administration standards for meters) on either side of the centerline crews would excavate some areas and maintenance, operations, and safety. A of the track within the Caliente corridor, fill (add more soil to) others, as typical spent nuclear fuel and high-level passing through the common segments determined by terrain features. To the radioactive waste train would consist of and variations. DOE will define regions extent possible, material excavated from two diesel-electric locomotives; three or of influence for each environmental one area would be used in areas that more rail cars containing spent nuclear resource (for example, biological or required fill material. However, if the fuel or high-level radioactive waste; cultural resources) that will extend distance to an area requiring fill buffer cars; and an escort car. A typical beyond the dimensions of the alignment material were excessive, the excavated train carrying construction materials and allow DOE to estimate material would be disposed of in spoils would not have buffer cars or an escort environmental impacts over the areas, and a borrow area would be car. geographic area in which the impact is established adjacent to the area At the Yucca Mountain repository, likely to be realized. Within these requiring fill material. Access roads to rail cars containing casks of spent regions of influence, DOE will estimate spoils and borrow areas would be built nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive environmental impacts of the common during the track base construction work. waste would move through a security segments and alternatives, both Under the Proposed Action, DOE check into the radiologically controlled area. The casks would be inspected and separately and in aggregate. In this way, would construct a secure railyard and protective barriers removed, in the analyses of the Rail Alignment EIS facilities at the operational interface preparation for waste handling at the will offer DOE flexibility to minimize, with the mainline railroad near repository. Rail cars carrying avoid or otherwise mitigate potential Caliente, Nevada. The facilities would construction materials would be environmental impacts of the final include sidings connected to the offloaded and the materials stockpiled alignment chosen for construction. mainline, and buildings and associated equipment for track and equipment on site. Proposed Action maintenance, locomotive refueling, and Preliminary Alternatives In the Rail Alignment EIS, the train crew quarters. DOE also will consider the potential As required by the Council on Proposed Action is to determine a rail construction and operation of a rail-to- Environmental Quality and Department alignment, and to construct and operate truck intermodal transfer facility to regulations that implement NEPA, the a rail line for shipments of spent nuclear support limited legal-weight truck Rail Alignment EIS will analyze and fuel, high-level radioactive waste, and transportation until the rail system is present the environmental impacts other materials 2 from a site near fully operational. This intermodal associated with the range of reasonable Caliente, Lincoln County, Nevada to a transfer facility could be constructed at alternatives to meet DOE’s purpose and geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, the confluence of an existing mainline need for a rail line, and a no action Nye County, Nevada. Under the railroad and a highway. alternative. The preliminary alternatives Proposed Action, the Caliente rail line Typical construction equipment for the alignment comprise a series of would be designed and built consistent (front-end loaders, power shovels, and common segments and alternatives with Federal Railroad Administration other diesel-powered support (maps may be obtained as described safety standards. Construction would equipment) would be used for clearing above in ADDRESSES). The Department is take between three and four years. and excavation work. Trucks would particularly interested in identifying Construction activities would include spray water along graded areas for dust and subsequently evaluating any the development of construction control and soil compaction. The fill additional reasonable alternatives that support areas; construction of access material used along the rail line to would reduce or avoid known or roads to the rail line construction establish a stable base for the track potential adverse environmental 3 initiation points and to major would be compacted to meet design impacts, national security activities, structures to be built, such as bridges requirements. Water could be shipped features having aesthetic values, and and culverts; and movement of from other locations or obtained from land-use conflicts, or alternatives that materials and equipment to the wells drilled along the rail line. should be eliminated from detailed construction initiation points. The Railroad track construction would consideration. This could include number and location of construction consist of the placement of railbed identifying alternatives that could avoid initiation points would be based on material (sub-ballast), ballast (support wilderness study areas or other land use such variables as the length of the rail and stabilizing materials for the rail conflicts. The preliminary alternatives line, the construction schedule, the ties), ties and rail over the completed include: number of contractors used for railbed base. Other activities would Interface With Mainline Railroad construction, the number of structures include: installation of at-grade to be built, the supply of materials, and crossings, fencing as needed, train Three alternatives are available to the locations of existing access roads monitoring and signals and connect to the existing mainline adjacent to the rail line. communication equipment, and final railroad, each of which would intersect the common segment of the rail 2 Other materials refer to materials related to the 4 Borrow areas are areas outside of the rail alignment about 4 miles (6.5 kilometers) construction (e.g., reinforcing steel, cement) and alignment where construction personnel could southwest of Panaca, Nevada, along U.S. operation (e.g., waste packages, fuel oil) of the obtain earthen materials such as aggregate for 93 in the Meadow Valley area. The repository. construction of the rail line. Spoil areas are areas 3 DOE anticipates that construction of the rail line outside of the alignment for the deposition of excess Caliente Alternative would begin at the may occur at several locations simultaneously along earthern materials excavated during construction of town of Caliente, enter Meadow Valley the alignment. the rail line. at Indian Cove and extend north

VerDate mar<24>2004 16:47 Apr 07, 2004 Jkt 203001 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\08APN1.SGM 08APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 68 / Thursday, April 8, 2004 / Notices 18567

through Meadow Valley to converge through the Golden Gate Mountains process to ensure the transportation with the common segment. This about 4 miles (6.5 kilometers) further alignment selected does not alternative is about 10.5 miles (17 north of the Alternative GV2 location. compromise public safety, national kilometers) in length. Alternative GV1 would then continue security interests, or training and testing The Eccles Alternative would begin at southwesterly through Garden Valley to at the Nevada Test and Training Range. the Eccles siding along Clover Creek reconnect with the common segment Bonnie Claire about 5 miles (8 kilometers) east of described for Alternative GV2. This Caliente, trend generally north entering alternative is about 19 miles (31 Bonnie Claire comprises two Meadow Valley on the southeast, and kilometers) in length. alternatives that would depart a would then trend northward to converge common segment located about 3.3 Mud Lake with the common segment. This miles (5.5 kilometers) southeast of Lida alternative is about 11 miles (18 The Mud Lake Alternatives would Junction, Nevada. The western Bonnie kilometers) in length. depart a common segment located near Claire Alternative (BC1) would follow The Crestline Alternative would begin the northwest corner of the Nevada Test an abandoned rail line to cross U.S. 95 north of the Crestline siding in Sheep and Training Range (previously known about 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) south of Spring Draw, extend west after crossing as Nellis Air Force Range) immediately Stonewall Pass, and would then trend Lincoln County Road 75, and pass north north of Mud Lake. The western Mud southeast paralleling U.S. 95 on the of the Cedar Range. It would then veer Lake Alternative (ML1) would pass west across Sarcobatus Flat. This northwesterly just north of Miller about 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) alternative would then cross State Route Spring Wash and converge with the northwest of Mud Lake avoiding its 267 about 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) common segment just south of the Big western shoreline, and would extend southwest of Scotty’s Junction, Hogback. This alternative is about 23 southward to reconnect with a common continuing southeasterly until crossing miles (38 kilometers) in length. segment. This alternative is about 3 U.S. 95 again on the eastern edge of miles (5 kilometers) in length. Sarcobatus Flat about 14 miles (22.5 White River The eastern Mud Lake Alternative kilometers) northwest of Springdale, The two White River Alternatives (ML2) also would skirt Mud Lake to Nevada. This alternative is about 22 would depart from the common segment avoid its western shoreline and would miles (35.5 kilometers) in length. about 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) west of reconnect with the same common The eastern Bonnie Claire Alternative its crossing of the White River segment as the western Mud Lake (BC2) would parallel the contours of immediately west of State Route 318. Alternative. This alternative is about 4 Stonewall Mountain to the southeast The northern White River Alternative miles (6.5 kilometers) in length. and would then extend south, adjacent (WR1) would follow the White River, Goldfield to the western edge of . curve around the northern end of the This alternative would then parallel the Seaman Range, and then turn southwest There are two alternatives associated northern side of U.S. 95 about 1 mile entering Coal Valley. This alternative is with Goldfield. The western Goldfield (1.5 kilometers) until it converges with about 25 miles (40 kilometers) in length. Alternative (GF1), from its connection to the western Bonnie Claire Alternative The southern White River Alternative Alternative ML1, would extend (BC1) on the eastern edge of Sarcobatus (WR2) would depart the same common southward into the Goldfield Hills area Flat. This alternative is about 25.5 miles segment but would extend westerly passing about 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) (41 kilometers) in length. along the flanks of Timber Mountain, east of Black Butte. This alternative DOE is aware of concerns raised by proceed through Timber Mountain Pass, would then turn east to pass about 1 the Department of Defense and the U.S. and then enter Coal Valley. This mile (1.5 kilometers) northeast of Espina Air Force regarding the alternatives that alternative is about 18.5 miles (30 Hill and then would bear south to pass intersect the Nevada Test and Training kilometers) in length. about 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) east of Range lands, and will consult with the Once in Coal Valley, both alternatives Blackcap Mountain. Alternative GF1 Department of Defense and the U.S. Air would merge with the Garden Valley would then continue in a southerly Force during the Rail Alignment EIS Alternatives. Several options are direction following an abandoned rail process to ensure the transportation available to merge the White River line to reconnect to a common segment alignment selected does not Alternatives with the Garden Valley located about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) compromise public safety, national Alternatives. north-northeast of Ralston, Nevada. This security interests, or training and testing alternative is about 25 miles (41 at the Nevada Test and Training Range. Garden Valley kilometers) in length. The southern Garden Valley From its connection with Alternative Oasis Valley Alternative (GV2) would start about 2 ML2, the eastern Goldfield Alternative Oasis Valley includes two alternatives miles (3 kilometers) east of the water (GF2) would extend south-southeast that would avoid naturally-occurring gap located along Seaman Wash Road, into the Nevada Test and Training springs. Both alternatives would depart proceed westward through the Golden Range, and then would emerge from the a common segment about 2 miles (3 Gate Mountains, and turn southwesterly Range turning southwest to converge kilometers) east-northeast of Oasis through Garden Valley to reconnect to a with the western Goldfield Alternative Mountain. Alternative OV1 is about 3 common segment about 2.5 miles (4 (GF1) as it enters Stonewall Flat. This miles (5 kilometers) in length. kilometers) northeast of the pass alternative is about 22 miles (35.5 Alternative OV2, which is about 3.5 between the Worthington Mountains kilometers) in length. miles (5.5 kilometers) in length, would and the Quinn Canyon Range. This DOE is aware of concerns raised by cross Oasis Valley further to the east of alternative is about 17 miles (27.5 the Department of Defense and the U.S. Alternative OV1, thereby increasing the kilometers) in length. Air Force regarding the alternatives that distance to the springs. The northern Garden Valley intersect the Nevada Test and Training Alternative (GV1) would diverge from Range lands, and will consult with the Beatty Wash the same common segment as Department of Defense and the U.S. Air The Beatty Wash alternatives would Alternative GV2, but would pass Force during the Rail Alignment EIS depart from a common segment about 3

VerDate mar<24>2004 16:47 Apr 07, 2004 Jkt 203001 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\08APN1.SGM 08APN1 18568 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 68 / Thursday, April 8, 2004 / Notices

miles (5 kilometers) east-northeast of the • Potential impacts to paleontological the U.S. Surface Transportation Board. hot springs north of Beatty and about 2 resources. These agencies were selected because miles (3 kilometers) north-northeast of • Potential impacts to the public from they have management and regulatory Beatty Wash. The eastern Beatty Wash noise and vibration. authority over lands traversed by an Alternative (BW2) would extend east for • Potential impacts to the general alternative rail alignment within the about 5 miles (8 kilometers), then turn public and workers from radiological Caliente rail corridor, or special southward crossing a pass about 1 mile exposures during incident-free expertise germane to the construction (1.5 kilometers) east of the Silicon and operations of the rail line in Nevada. and operation of a rail line. DOE will Thompson Mines. Alternative BW2 • Potential impacts to the general consult with the U.S. Bureau of Indian would then turn south to converge with public and workers from radiological Affairs, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alternative BW1 about 4 miles (6.5 exposures from potential accidents U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. kilometers) east-northeast of Merklejoho during operations of the rail line in Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Native Peak. This alternative is about 14 miles Nevada. American Tribal organizations, the State (22 kilometers) in length. • Potential impacts to water resources of Nevada, and Nye, Lincoln and The western Beatty Wash Alternative and floodplains. Esmeralda Counties regarding the • (BW1) would extend south from the Potential impacts to aesthetic environmental and regulatory issues common segment described for values. germane to the Proposed Action. DOE • Alternative BW2, crossing Beatty Wash Potential disproportionately high invites comments on its identification of and proceeding to the west of the and adverse impacts to low-income and cooperating and consulting agencies and Silicon and Thompson Mines before minority populations (environmental organizations. justice). reconnecting with a common segment. • Public Scoping Meetings This alternative is about 8 miles (13 Irretrievable and irreversible kilometers) in length. commitment of resources. DOE will hold public scoping • Compliance with applicable meetings on the Rail Alignment EIS. No Action Alternative Federal, state and local requirements. The meetings will be held at the The No Action Alternative would The Department specifically invites following locations and times: • evaluate the consequences of not comments on the following: , Nevada. constructing a rail line in Nevada for the 1. Should additional alternatives be Longstreet Inn and Casino, Highway considered that might minimize, avoid 373, May 3, 2004 from 4–8 p.m. transportation of spent nuclear fuel, • high-level radioactive waste and other or mitigate adverse environmental Goldfield, Nevada. Goldfield materials. Under the No Action impacts (for example, looking beyond Community Center, 301 Crook Street, Alternative, these materials would be the 0.25 mile wide corridor, avoiding May 4, 2004 from 4–8 p.m. • Caliente, Nevada. Caliente Youth shipped by legal-weight and heavy-haul wilderness study areas, Native Center, U.S. Highway 93, Caliente, truck within the State of Nevada to a American Trust Lands, or encroachment Nevada, May 5, 2004 from 4–8 p.m. repository at Yucca Mountain. About on the Nevada Test and Training The public scoping meetings will be 53,000 legal-weight truck and 300 Range)? an open meeting format without a heavy-haul truck shipments of spent 2. Should any of the preliminary formal presentation by DOE. Members nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive alternatives be eliminated from detailed of the public are invited to attend the waste would be required. consideration? 3. Should additional environmental meetings at their convenience any time Environmental Issues and Resources To resources be considered? during meeting hours and submit their Be Examined 4. Should DOE allow private entities comments in writing at the meeting, or to ship commercial commodities on its in person to a court reporter who will To facilitate the scoping process, DOE rail line? be available throughout the meeting. has identified a preliminary list of 5. What mitigation measures should This open meeting format increases the issues and environmental resources that be considered? opportunity for public comment and it may consider in the Rail Alignment 6. Are there national security issues provides for one-on-one discussions EIS. The list is not intended to be all- that should be addressed? with DOE representatives involved with inclusive or to predetermine the scope the Rail Alignment EIS and Nevada or alternatives of the Rail Alignment Schedule transportation project. EIS, but should be used as a starting The DOE intends to issue the Draft The public scoping meetings will be point from which the public can help Rail Alignment EIS early in 2005 at held during the public scoping DOE define the scope of the EIS. DOE which time its availability will be comment period. The comment period anticipates incorporating by reference announced in the Federal Register and begins with publication of this NOI in the relevant analyses of the Repository local media. A public comment period the Federal Register and closes May 24, Final EIS, supplemented as appropriate. will start upon publication of the • 2004. Comments received after this date Potential impacts to the concept of Environmental Protection Agency’s will be considered to the extent multiple use as it applies to public land Notice of Availability in the Federal practicable. Written comments may be use planning and management specified Register. The Department will consider provided in writing, facsimile, or by by the Federal Land Policy and and respond to comments received on email to Ms. Robin Sweeney, EIS Management Act of 1976. the Draft Rail Alignment EIS in Document Manager (see ADDRESSES • Potential impacts to land use and preparing the Final Rail Alignment EIS. above). ownership. • Potential impacts to plants, animals Other Agency Involvement Public Reading Rooms and their habitats, including impacts to The Department expects to invite the Documents referenced in this Notice wetlands, and threatened and following agencies to be cooperating of Intent and related information are endangered and other sensitive species. agencies in the preparation of the Rail available at the following locations: • Potential impacts to cultural and Alignment EIS: U.S. Bureau of Land Beatty Yucca Mountain Information Native American resources. Management, the U.S. Air Force, and Center, 100 North E. Avenue, Beatty, NV

VerDate mar<24>2004 16:47 Apr 07, 2004 Jkt 203001 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\08APN1.SGM 08APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 68 / Thursday, April 8, 2004 / Notices 18569

89003, (775) 553–2130; Yucca Mountain part 53, the EPA evaluates various facility, and will be available for Information Center, 105 S. Main Street, methods for monitoring the inspection (with advance notice) to the Goldfield, NV 89013, (775) 485–3419; concentrations of those ambient air extent consistent with 40 CFR part 2 Las Vegas Yucca Mountain Information pollutants for which EPA has (EPA’s regulations implementing the Center, 4101–B Meadows Lane, Las established National Ambient Air Freedom of Information Act). Vegas, NV 89107, (702) 295–1312; Quality Standards (NAAQSs) as set As a designated reference or Lincoln County Nuclear Waste Project forth in 40 CFR part 50. Monitoring equivalent method, this method is Office, 100 Depot Avenue, Caliente, NV methods that are determined to meet acceptable for use by states and other air 89008, (775) 726–3511; Nye County specific requirements for adequacy are monitoring agencies under the Department of Natural Resources and designated by the EPA as either requirements of 40 CFR part 58, Federal Facilities, 1210 E. Basin Road, reference methods or equivalent Ambient Air Quality Surveillance. For Suite #6, Pahrump, NV 89060 (775) methods (as applicable), thereby such purposes, the method must be 727–7727; Pahrump Yucca Mountain permitting their use under 40 CFR part used in strict accordance with the Information Center, 1141 S. Highway 58 by States and other agencies for operation or instruction manual 160, Suite #3, Pahrump, NV 89041, determining attainment of the NAAQSs. associated with the method and subject (775) 727–0896; University of Nevada, The EPA hereby announces the to any specifications and limitations Reno, The University of Nevada designation of one new equivalent (e.g., configuration or operational Libraries, Business and Government method for measuring concentrations of settings) specified in the applicable Information Center, M/S 322, 1664 N. particulate matter as PM10 in ambient designation method description (see the Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557, (775) air. This designation is made under the identification of the method above). 784–6500, Ext. 309; and the U.S. provisions of 40 CFR part 53, as Users of the method should also note Department of Energy Headquarters amended on July 18, 1997 (62 FR that its equivalent method designation Office Public Reading Room, 1000 38764). applies only to 24-hour average PM10 concentration measurements. The Independence Avenue SW., Room 1E– The new equivalent method for PM10 190 (ME–74) FORS, Washington, DC is an automated method (analyzer) that Model MP101M Monitor may also 20585, 202–586–3142. utilizes a measurement principle based provide average PM10 concentration measurements over other, shorter Issued in Washington, DC, on April 2, on sample collection by filtration and analysis by beta-ray attenuation. The averaging periods, including one-hour 2004. averages. However, such shorter average Beverly A. Cook, newly designated equivalent method is identified as follows: concentration measurements may be Assistant Secretary, Environment, Safety and less precise than the 24-hour Health. EQPM–0404–151, ‘‘Environnement S.A. measurements and are not required for [FR Doc. 04–7950 Filed 4–7–04; 8:45 am] Model MP101M PM10 Beta Gauge Monitor,’’ use in determining attainment under the configured with the louvered PM10 inlet BILLING CODE 6450–01–P specified in 40 CFR 50 Appendix L or its flat- air quality surveillance requirements of topped predecessor version and one of the part 58 (although they may be useful for three optional temperature-regulated other purposes). Use of the method ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION sampling tubes (RST), and operated with a should also be in general accordance AGENCY full scale measurement range of 0–0.500 mg/ with the guidance and m3 (0–500 ug/µm3), with the sample flow rate recommendations of applicable sections [FRL–7642–2] set to 1.00 m3/h and flow regulation set to of the ‘‘Quality Assurance Handbook for yes, the ‘‘norms selection’’ set to m3 (actual Air Pollution Measurement Systems, Office of Research and Development; volume), the ‘‘cycle’’ set to 24 hours, the Volume I,’’ EPA/600/R–94/038a and ‘‘ ‘‘ Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and period’’ set to none, and the counting time’’ ‘‘Quality Assurance Handbook for Air set to 200 seconds. Equivalent Methods: Designation of a Pollution Measurement Systems, New Equivalent Method for PM10 An application for an equivalent Volume II, Part 1,’’ EPA–454/R–98–004. method determination for this method AGENCY: Environmental Protection Vendor modifications of a designated Agency. was received by the EPA on October 3, reference or equivalent method used for 2003. The method is available purposes of part 58 are permitted only ACTION: Notice of the designation of a commercially from the applicant, with prior approval of the EPA, as new equivalent method for monitoring Environnement S.A., 111, Bd provided in part 53. Provisions ambient air quality. Robespierre, 78304 Poissy, Cedex, concerning modification of such SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that France (http://www.environnement- methods by users are specified under the Environmental Protection Agency sa.com). section 2.8 (Modifications of Methods (EPA) has designated, in accordance Test analyzers representative of this by Users) of appendix C to 40 CFR part with 40 CFR part 53, a new equivalent method have been tested by the 58. method for measuring concentrations of applicant in accordance with the In general, a method designation particulate matter as PM10 in the applicable test procedures specified in applies to any sampler or analyzer ambient air. 40 CFR part 53 (as amended on July 18, which is identical to the sampler or 1997). After reviewing the results of analyzer described in the application for FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: those tests and other information designation. In some cases, similar Elizabeth Hunike, Human Exposure and submitted by the applicant, EPA has samplers or analyzers manufactured Atmospheric Sciences Division (MD– determined, in accordance with part 53, prior to the designation may be D205–03), National Exposure Research that this method should be designated upgraded or converted (e.g., by minor Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle as an equivalent method. The modification or by substitution of the Park, North Carolina 27711. Phone: information submitted by the applicant approved operation or instruction (919) 541–3737, e-mail: will be kept on file, either at EPA’s manual) so as to be identical to the [email protected]. National Exposure Research Laboratory, designated method and thus achieve SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In Research Triangle Park, North Carolina designated status. The manufacturer accordance with regulations at 40 CFR 27711 or in an approved archive storage should be consulted to determine the

VerDate mar<24>2004 19:52 Apr 07, 2004 Jkt 203001 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\08APN1.SGM 08APN1